French Foreign Minister to Visit Iran for Talks on Regional Issues and JCPOA

The French Foreign Minister announced that he will travel to Tehran on March 5 to discuss regional issues, missile programs, and the nuclear agreement with Iran. Jean-Yves Le Drian stated on January 21 to the newspaper 'Figaro' that 'we have initiated discussions with Iran regarding issues related to ballistic missile programs and regional matters.' His planned visit to Tehran was postponed in mid-January following widespread protests in various cities in Iran. Subsequently, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, also announced that he would visit Iran when calm returns to the country. The French Foreign Minister told Figaro that Paris 'hopes to address issues related to Iran's destabilizing military impacts in the Middle East, financial support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.' Le Drian emphasized that this is the reason for his visit to Tehran on March 5 to talk with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif. On November 16, Le Drian expressed concern in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, about Iran's 'interventions' and 'hegemonic' intentions in the region. Emmanuel Macron also stated that 'there is a possibility of sanctions against Iran's missile program' and 'we must negotiate with Iran regarding its missile program.' The French Foreign Ministry has indicated that Paris is worried about the speed of Iran's missile program, which is not endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and is a source of instability and insecurity in the region. Resolution 2231, which endorses the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers, calls on Iran to refrain from developing ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Iran claims that its missiles are not produced for carrying nuclear warheads, as it does not intend to produce such weaponry. Tehran asserts that its missile program is 'defensive' and is not subject to cessation. France, on the other hand, is considered a supporter of the nuclear agreement between six world powers and Tehran, and its senior officials have engaged in discussions with senior U.S. officials to maintain this agreement. Emmanuel Macron has also commented on the protests in Iran, stating, 'We must be careful, vigilant, and cautious to ensure that the rights of protesters are not violated,' while also asserting that any change must come from within and not from outside the country. Le Drian's visit to Iran comes a few weeks after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who traveled to Europe to meet with his British and French counterparts. A U.S. government official told the Associated Press that the focus of discussions in London and Paris is 'reducing differences' between the U.S. and Europe regarding the nuclear agreement with Iran and finding more ways to counter Tehran's actions in the region.